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The Indian government's key communist allies have rejected a landmark U.S.-India nuclear deal, criticizing it for promoting U.S. influence.

In a statement Tuesday, India's four-party communist alliance said it cannot accept the civilian nuclear agreement between India and the United States and called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to pursue it.

Hindu nationalists have also rejected the terms of the accord.

Reversing 30 years of U.S. non-proliferation nuclear policy with India, the controversial agreement would give India access to U.S. nuclear fuel and equipment in exchange for inspections of its civilian nuclear reactors.

The U.S. Congress must approve the deal before it can take effect, but it does not require approval by the Indian parliament.

India's prime minister and Cabinet are empowered to sign treaties without parliamentary backing. But some Indian lawmakers are trying to make international agreements subject to parliamentary approval.